Contact Us

The poison center staff consists of the Director, Medical Director, Community Outreach Coordinator, Program Specialist and eight Registered Nurses (RN). Each call to the poison center is answered by a Specialist in Poison Information who is specially trained in the management of poisoning emergencies. Qualified staff become Certified Specialists in Poison Information. This is the result of extensive work in the area of toxicology and an exam. The WVPC utilizes many different resources for recommendations of patient treatment. Computer data banks as well as a comprehensive toxicological library are on hand for the most up to date information. Specialty consultants are also on call 24 hours a day for expert information on complex cases.

Poisoning Emergency: 1-800-222-1222

Community Outreach Coordinator

Carissa McBurney
Phone: (304) 347-1379
E-Mail: cmcburney@hsc.wvu.edu
Fax: (304) 347-3908

Administration

Phone: (304) 347-1212
Fax:(304) 347-3908

Reach us by Mail

West Virginia Poison Center
Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center
Charleston Division
3110 MacCorkle Ave., SE
Charleston, WV 25304

West Virginia Poison Center Staff

Executive/Clinical Director 

Rachel Cruickshank, PharmD

Medical Director

Michael Abesamis, MD, ABEM-MT 

Back-Up Medical Directors

Michael Lynch, MD, ABEM-MT 

Anthony Pizon, MD, ABEM-MT, FACMT   

Matthew Scanlon, MD, ABEM-MT

Joshua Shulman, MD, ABEM-MT     

William Trautman, MD, ABEM-MT

Business Office Manager

Debra Kohler, MBA 

Community Outreach Coordinator

Carissa EB McBurney, MPA

Clinical Toxicology and Data Specialist

Allison Liddle, PharmD

Certified Specialist in Poison Information

Sue Acord, RN, BSN, CSPI

Donna Fink, RN, BSN, CSPI

Becky King, RN, MSN, MEd, NCSN, CSPI 

Specialist in Poison Information

Melissa A. Lilly, RN, BSN, SPI  

Debbie Roberts, RN, SPI 

Jackie White, RN, BSN, SPI 

Acronym Glossary

  • PharmD-Doctor of Pharmacy

  • DBAT-Diplomat of the American Board of Toxicology

  • BCPS-Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist

  • FAACT-Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology

  • MD-Doctor of Medicine

  • ABEM-MT-American Board of Emergency Medicine, Medical Toxicology

  • FACMT-Fellow of the American College of Medical Toxicology

  • MBA-Master of Business Administration

  • MPA-Master of Public Administration

  • RN-Registered Nurse

  • MSN-Master of Science in Nursing

  • CSPI-Certified Specialist in Poison Information

  • AHLS-Advanced Hazmat Life Support

  • BSN-Bachelor of Science in Nursing

  • MEd-Master of Education

  • NCSN-National Certified School Nurse